Protecting Your Mobile Privacy

If there’s one thing you need to keep in mind, that should be—no matter how the mobile landscape changes, user privacy will always be an issue.”

The 2014 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain just began and we’re seeing some very exciting updates in mobile technology. From new mobile devices to play with to companies unveiling their own smart watch versions, this year’s Mobile World Congress is definitely packed with developments that are sure to take the mobile landscape by storm.

If there’s one thing you need to keep in mind, that would be no matter how the mobile landscape changes, user privacy will always be an issue. Cybercriminals aren’t the only ones who wish to violate your privacy to steal your personal information; legitimate app developers and sites owners also hope you’d overshare so they can make money off your interests.

No amount of money is worth the hassle of having something you don’t want anyone else to see posted online. This can’t only damage your online reputation; it can also lead to more bothersome consequences like getting your online banking accounts hacked.

But there are ways to safeguard your privacy. The first step, keep these tips in mind:

Don’t overshare. Social networking has made almost everyone compulsive online sharers. We share everything from our date of birth to our personal photographs to what we’re eating for lunch. All these, while cute and give us a sense of self-actualization can lead to loss of privacy, especially if our profiles are public. Limit what or who you share updates with on social media.

Choose your apps wisely. High-risk and malicious apps are real. They can steal all the data you keep on your phone. But they’re not the only threat; even legitimate apps can ask you to reveal too much for the sake of serving you the right kind of ads.

Only access secure networks. It’s always tempting to stay online no matter where you are, especially if it’s for free. Once you do though, you run the risk of exposing all of the data on your device to anyone on that same network. Remember that sniffer apps that can monitor and record unprotected data sent across a network allows attackers to see everything you’re doing.

Secure your new phone. All mobile devices have built-in security features. Make sure to activate them before going even thinking of going online. Read your device’s user manual to find out if there are other features you don’t know about that can help you stay safe from threats.

Tough-to-guess passwords are a must. Passwords that are easy to remember are also the easiest ones to crack. Try your best to use long and hard-to-memorize passwords. The more inconvenient inputting your password is, the better. Using password managers can also help.